A new video posted by the Chinese website ifanr gives perhaps the clearest look so far at how the size of the forthcoming iPhone 6 with a 4.7-inch display compares to the 4-inch display of the iPhone 5s. The video claims to show an actual front panel of the iPhone 6, and puts it beside a front panel of an iPhone 5s. It also shows how the new phone will fit in one's hand compared to the 5s. See the embedded video below.

The new phone is expected to launch in September. Rumors also suggest that a 5.5-inch iPhone is coming, but it may arrive later in the fall in a separate launch event. Most of the rumors and leaked images surrounding the iPhone 6 continue to focus on the 4.7-inch version, suggesting the even larger device will come later.

It's expected to be thinner and to be styled like the iPad Air and iPad mini, with more rounded edges. In addition, it's expected to come with a new A8 processor. Some rumors have suggested that the display will use a sapphire crystal laminate to make it even more impervious to scratching. You can see a roundup of the rumored features in this earlier post.

The iPhone 6 is expected to generate a lot of interest. A post on AppleInsider reported that Apple's suppliers are anticipating sales of the iPhone 6 to be 20 percent greater than the 5s. Plus, as reported by CNET, a survey of smartphone owners who are intending to upgrade their current phone found that nearly half plan to buy the iPhone 6 when it launches in the coming months. The survey also found that 35 percent of those who aren't planning to buy an iPhone would consider buying the iPhone 6 if it does in fact have a larger screen size. In addition, 26 percent of those surveyed said they'd be willing to pay a $100 premium for a 5.5-inch iPhone.

In short, screen size matters. Larger screens have become popular, and everything suggests that Apple's new, larger phones will be a hit. According to the report, other features that are important to prospective buyers include battery life and an improved camera.

Want to master your iPhone and iPad? Sign up here to get our tip of the day delivered right to your inbox.

Jim Karpen holds a Ph.D. in literature and writing, and has a love of gizmos. His doctoral dissertation focused on the revolutionary consequences of digital technologies and anticipated some of the developments taking place in the industry today. Jim has been writing about the Internet and technology since 1994 and has been using Apple's visionary products for decades.